People after the heart of God

“I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.” This was the Bible passage from Acts 13: 22 upon which the divine service in La Paz, Bolivia was based on 2 August 2019. “David was certainly not perfect,” noted Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider. “And yet the Bible states that he was a man after the heart of God. Why?”

Acting in faith and with courage

“David had faith in God as well as courage of faith,” said the Chief Apostle as he recalled the young man’s battle against Goliath. “He did not say, ‘I will kill this man.’ He said, ‘God will kill him through me.’”

“In our life of faith we too at times find ourselves in such situations, where we really feel the power of the evil one.” At such times, the important thing is to look to our example. “Do not give up the fight! Perhaps you cannot conquer evil, but God will do so through you! With Jesus, we can gain the victory!”

Not repaying evil with evil

“David never wanted to repay evil with evil.” Whether it was when his persecutor Saul was at his mercy in the cave, or whether it was when Shimi, the son of Gera, publicly insulted, cursed, and threw stones at him—David did not lift a finger to hurt them. “He trusted in the righteousness of God.”

“That is also good counsel for our time. At times we too are confronted by evil,” said the Chief Apostle, “but here too, let us remain firm. Let us act as David did. Let us not repay evil with evil.”

Capable of humbleness and remorse

“David was humble enough to admit, ‘Indeed, I have sinned.’” In order to cover up his adulterous affair with Bathsheba, he had had her husband killed. Thereupon God sent the prophet Nathan to him. “And the king allowed the prophet to correct him. He conceded his sin and regretted it. And God forgave him.”

“Each one of us is a little king, so to speak: I am free. I can do whatever I want,” said the Chief Apostle. “Yes! But please allow yourself to be corrected. Allow God to tell you what is not pleasing to Him. And show remorse. Be humble, and God will forgive you.”

Filled with trust in God

“David also relied completely on God.” When his son Absalom wanted to kill him in order to take the throne for himself, David left his fate completely in the hands of God. “If He wants to deliver me, He will deliver me. And if He does not do so, that is alright too.”

“Often we do not understand what God is doing. His actions are at odds with our ideas.” At such times the wisdom of David can help us further: “Let God go to work. He will make everything right.”

For the sake of love rather than honour

“David also knew that, as king, he was also a servant of God.” He prepared everything in order to build the temple of God, but had to leave the completion of his great plan up to his son Solomon. “David was not even upset. He knew: ‘It is not about me. It is about God.’” The main thing is that the cause of God is served.

“This is also something that applies to us,” said the Chief Apostle. “Perhaps we have done the sowing in order to allow someone else to reap. But those who are truly motivated by the love of God can live with that. Even if they do not reap the glory and the joy, they have the confidence: “God knows why I did it. I did it out of love for Him.”

In the Bible text, Paul states that David’s mission consisted of doing all of God’s will. “And this highlights his connection with Jesus Christ,” emphasised Chief Apostle Schneider: “Jesus Christ is the one man who fulfilled the will of God in its entirety, right to the end. And dear brethren, this mandate also applies to us. God has elected us in order to be His children. Let us be children of God after His own heart!”